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Former Carter Lumber building destroyed in Monday fire
By Chris Engle, Staff Writer
Monday, March 31, 2008 12:14 PM EDT
Firefighters prepare to reenter the former Carter Lumber building early Monday. The fire, apparently caused by a broken gas line, destroyed the empty structure. HT - Chris Engle
GAYLORD — Firefighters from five area departments swarmed the former Carter Lumber building early Monday working to extinguish the flames which destroyed the vacant structure.
Otsego County Fire Dept. Chief Tim Warren said the call of a fire at the building, located at 2010 M-32 West, came in at 5:40 a.m. Though one fire truck was able to put water on the blaze in short order, the majority of emergency crews lost a half hour to 45 minutes of firefighting time as an Otsego County Road Commission loader cleared the way to the snowed-in building, he added.
Warren believed the fire started when a chunk of ice fell from the building’s roof and struck the natural gas meter at the northeast corner of the building. A constant bright-orange flame billowed there as firefighters concentrated their hoses on the rest of the burning structure. Warren explained it was safer to allow the gas to burn than to let it leak unseen. A crew from DTE Energy arrived shortly after 9 a.m. to shut off the gas.
No foul play is suspected, Warren said. An investigator was on scene later in the morning to determine the cause of the blaze. Crews started returning to base around 11:20 a.m. according to scanner reports.
Carter Lumber closed Dec. 30, 2006.
Otsego County Fire Dept. Chief Tim Warren said the call of a fire at the building, located at 2010 M-32 West, came in at 5:40 a.m. Though one fire truck was able to put water on the blaze in short order, the majority of emergency crews lost a half hour to 45 minutes of firefighting time as an Otsego County Road Commission loader cleared the way to the snowed-in building, he added.
Warren believed the fire started when a chunk of ice fell from the building’s roof and struck the natural gas meter at the northeast corner of the building. A constant bright-orange flame billowed there as firefighters concentrated their hoses on the rest of the burning structure. Warren explained it was safer to allow the gas to burn than to let it leak unseen. A crew from DTE Energy arrived shortly after 9 a.m. to shut off the gas.
No foul play is suspected, Warren said. An investigator was on scene later in the morning to determine the cause of the blaze. Crews started returning to base around 11:20 a.m. according to scanner reports.
Carter Lumber closed Dec. 30, 2006.
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7 comment(s)
bjgaylord wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:10 AM:
" Greatlady - There is a wonderful system in use in Otsego County which is called "Knox Box" which is a secure key safe which is installed on commercial buildings (if the owner subscribes to it). The boxes are accessed by a master key which emergency agencies have available to them. In the event of an emergency, the agency can open the box and have keys to the facility available.
However, if a building owner does not have a knox box, we generally do not have an issue with getting into a locked door, it just involves a little more damage than using a key ;-) So the owner would have to repair the fire damage, and our "forcible entry". "
However, if a building owner does not have a knox box, we generally do not have an issue with getting into a locked door, it just involves a little more damage than using a key ;-) So the owner would have to repair the fire damage, and our "forcible entry". "
greatlady wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:21 AM:
" bj, thanks for clearing up what time DTE showed up. That makes perfict sense. Also from being a factory worker I do agree with your statements of exits being blocked. Not only that they are locked at times so no one can get in unless they have a pass code. I am also wondering if the department has a code to every factory and their doors so you can get in. The doors can be opened from the inside if you hit the button and then the door bar, but what happens for you's to get in?
Being that OCFD is volunteer you guys do a super job in response time and how you's fight the fires. Keep up the great job. "
Being that OCFD is volunteer you guys do a super job in response time and how you's fight the fires. Keep up the great job. "
bjgaylord wrote on Mar 31, 2008 9:13 PM:
" Greatlady, as a side thought to your earlier questions, my bigger concern as both a firefighter and fire inspector, is the fact that people, and especially businesses do not keep their exits clearly marked or free of obstructions. It is bad enough when fire strikes, but the disaster that is waiting, is the one where people get trapped, because of building owners negligence.
Emergency preparedness must be accomplished before the emergency, not during it. Whether it is at home or in a business. "
Emergency preparedness must be accomplished before the emergency, not during it. Whether it is at home or in a business. "
bjgaylord wrote on Mar 31, 2008 9:09 PM:
" I wish I could adequately answer your questions, greatlady. Most of what we deal with, with all property owners, is the "it will never happen to me" mentality. No one thinks that something like this will happen to them, until they get the call in the midle of the night. As far as DTE taking so long, actually, they were on scene earlier than 9:00 a.m., as reported. But because the gas meter was burning, they could not shut it off at the valve. And when that happens, the line (pipe) between the meter and the main must be dug up and clamped off. The ground is still frozen, and makes it very difficult and time consuming to excavate in order to shut it down. Frankly, I was surprised they got it done as quickly as they did, considering that the digging around gas lines must be done by hand in order to prevent an even larger rupture.
Thanks for your kudo's though, it means a lot to all of us. "
Thanks for your kudo's though, it means a lot to all of us. "
greatlady wrote on Mar 31, 2008 5:08 PM:
" bj I have a question. It is after the fact but wonder none the less. First of all good job done by all.
Why does not either the owners keep the roofs clear or the drives plowed of these empty buildings? Gaylord was lucky this was not a major casterphy. The fire fighters were also very lucky that this did not blow up in their faces. And why did it take until after 9 for DTE to show up?
"
Why does not either the owners keep the roofs clear or the drives plowed of these empty buildings? Gaylord was lucky this was not a major casterphy. The fire fighters were also very lucky that this did not blow up in their faces. And why did it take until after 9 for DTE to show up?
"
bjgaylord wrote on Mar 31, 2008 3:34 PM:
" As a member of the OCFD, I would personally like to thank all of the people who assisted in this fire. Everyone worked very hard during this incident, as usual. Unfortunately, due to access difficulties and a well established fire prior to discovery, the structure could not be saved. Members of all departments who assisted, worked well together, and their communities can be proud of their dedication. While all departments did a great job, I would like to give a special thank you to the Otsego County Road Commission for sending a loader to the scene to gain access.
Again, thanks to all!
Brett Jensen, Lt.
OCFD "
Again, thanks to all!
Brett Jensen, Lt.
OCFD "
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greatlady wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:18 AM:
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